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Game On: Principles of Game Design

Course Description

This seven-week, interactive online course explores the fundamentals of all types of games (e.g., computer, athletic, board, role playing) and focuses on how to create ones that are playable. It dissects the five components that permeate all games, including: purpose, narrative, structure, mechanics, and rules, and explains why games’ bells and whistles are inconsequential if the basics aren’t well thought out and the game isn’t playable. The course also covers how to create an effective game-design document – an essential tool for communicating a designer’s vision to stakeholders. Additionally, the class touches on game psychology as well as play testing and game balance. Students participate in several class activities and are graded on two assignments, including modifying an existing game and designing their own game.

This online course is self-paced, but there will be deadlines. How to meet them will be up to you. We recommend aiming to complete at least one module per week, reserving 4-6 hours to complete each module. There will be opportunities to interact and collaborate with your classmates and instructor.

Prerequisites

Recommended

Basic knowledge of computers. Computer programming is a plus.

Who Should Attend

Computer scientists, gamers, and educators. However, if you’re not in one of these groups, you’ll still learn a lot. The course is for enthusiasts as well and offers much more than just the theory of game design.

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Georgia Tech Professional Education allows working professionals and industry partners to access the expertise of a world-renowned technological research university. As an academic division of the Georgia Institute of Technology, we embrace the Georgia Tech values of integrity, excellence, impact, and innovation. These values drive every aspect of our programs.